Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Why in the News?

Preparations begun for upcoming nehru trophy boat race in kerala.

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is amongst the premier snake boat races in Kerala
It is held on the second Saturday of August every year and draws in a massive crowd
People gather in large numbers to watch nearly 100 ft long boats compete against each other to the tune of old boat songs. Punnamada Lake is the location for the race where the contestants line up to battle it out
The story behind this water regatta getting its name goes back to the visit of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952
He was so enchanted by the sight of the majestic snake boats that he leapt onto one of the snake boats himself, ignoring his security cover
Later on in the year, he would donate a silver trophy in the form of a snake boat as a gift for the memories of the time he spent there
Hence the race would later go on to be named the Nehru Trophy Boat Race
During this season the area comes to life with ceremonial water processions and beautiful water floats. From the huge chundan valloms (snake boats) to small country rafts, the waters are under the control of the expert oarsmen who put on a show that one can never forget. It is an art form in itself